Amazon links up with Catastrophe creator

Amazon Studios has signed an exclusive two-year overall deal with Sharon Horgan, co-creator and star of UK comedy Catastrophe.

Writer, director and actress Sharon Horgan

The retail giant’s studio arm has also agreed a first-look series rights deal with Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s UK-based prodco Merman, which was set up in 2014.

Amazon Studios will get first-look rights to Merman concepts to which Horgan is attached and remake rights to Merman-produced television series.

Horgan is the co-creator behind relationship comedy Catastrophe, which she co-writes and stars in with Rob Delaney. Amazon came on board the show after it had been commissioned by UK broadcaster Channel 4 in 2014. It has since been remade in French-speaking Canada by Super Écran.

Horgan is also the creator and executive producer of HBO’s Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and co-creator of BBC2 parenting comedy Motherland.

In 2017, Merman opened offices in LA and New York City, alongside a branded entertainment division, headed by producer Kira Carstensen and advertising veteran Jeremy Rainbird.

“Sharon Horgan is one of the sharpest and most engaging actresses, writers and directors working in television today. Her strong creative voice and storytelling sensibility have resonated with audiences globally and will make for outstanding shows for our Prime members,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, head of scripted series at Amazon Studios.